Formula SAE Composite Monocoque Chassis Analysis

Composite materials play a huge role in producing the next generation of racing vehicles. Like international motorsports teams that incorporate composite materials heavily in the vehicle, many Formula SAE teams are shifting to composite monocoque chassis from steel space frames since composite material like carbon fiber offers strong stiffness and tensile properties compared to a steel frame. Also, since carbon fiber is lighter than the aluminum and steel used in traditional chassis, it allows engineers to produce lightweight monocoque structures. To design a chassis that improves the overall dynamic performance of the car, it is important to understand the parameters affecting the performance. This course is created for student teams seeking to optimize the weight and stiffness of their chassis using composite monocoque technology (i.e., by moving away from welded tubular chassis). In this course, we will lay up Formula SAE chassis with carbon fiber and analyze it under various loading conditions using Ansys Composite PrepPost.
Download the simulation files here to follow this course